Team News: TWO PODIUMS FOR AIRWAVES DUCATI
The Airwaves Ducati team achieved another two podium finishes at Cadwell Park today. Shane Byrne finished 3rd and Leon Camier 4th in both British Superbike races.
From the front and second rows of the grid, Shane and Leon dropped to 5th and 7th at the start of race one. As the leading pair pulled away, both Airwaves Ducati riders quickly became involved in a four way battle for 3rd. After successfully making his way up to 4th, Shane worked hard to overtake the Honda of Cal Crutchlow on lap 11 with Leon doing the same just 2 laps later to eventually finish 3rd and 4th respectively.
In a reduced distance second race Shane and Leon each lost a place off the start but this was quickly made up again after a rider fell in front of them. At the start of lap 6 Leon pulled out from the slipstream of Michael Rutter to take 4th and quickly caught his Airwaves Ducati teammate. On lap 10 Leon passed Shane for 3rd only to be pushed back down to 4th one corner later. Although able to catch the two frontrunners, neither Shane nor Leon could improve on another 3rd and 4th place finish.
Leon was pleased with his results saying, “To be back in amongst the front runners feels great and I am really happy. I was hoping to get onto the podium, especially in the second race, but the fact that I’m riding better and the Airwaves Ducati 1098R set-up has improved, is a result in itself. I managed to knock four tenths of a second off my time and actually posted the fastest time in the final sector which includes the mountain! So I’m feeling confident now heading to Croft.”
Following race two Shane commented, “I really like Cadwell Park and I thought it would be a good circuit for us on the Airwaves Ducati but it’s actually been a tough weekend. We’ve had to work so much harder and make a lot of changes from session to session but all credit to the Airwaves Ducati team for helping me get two podiums today. I really want to get back on that top step and I think that had the second race been the original 18 laps I could have won. Nevertheless I’m looking forward to Croft and hopefully taking the momentum and the pace from race two with us.”
Race One Results:
1. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
2. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
3. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
4. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati
Race Two Results:
1. Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda
2. Tom Sykes – Rizla Suzuki
3. Shane Byrne – Airwaves Ducati
4. Leon Camier – Airwaves Ducati